Chapter 24

Deirdre came home carrying bags, which she left on the counter.

''What's all this?'', Penny asked.

''I went shopping for the weekend.''

''Oh, nice. I hope you got enough, because we're expecting visitors tomorrow'', she informed her.

''Who?''

''Andy. He returned from his trip this morning.''. 'He won't back off after all', Deirdre thought really irritated.

''You mean, you invited him for dinner and he said yes?''

''Sure'', Penny replied oblivious to her mother's thoughts. Deirdre believed that this story was over after her conversation with Andy and the fact that she hadn't heard from him in days, gave her the impression that they understood each other. Evidently, he did not take her seriously. Now she had no choice. If she could not make Andy understand, she had to speak to her daughter.

''Penny, honey… I need to talk to you about something very important.''

''What is it, mum?'', she asked anxiously.

''Well, I have the impression that you have certain feelings for this man. Am I right?''

''Yes…''

''I see'', Deirdre said with a sigh.

''Why do you say that as if it's wrong?'', Penny wondered.

''No, it's not wrong. But I fear that it could be a mistake. Sweetheart, are you honestly ready for a serious relationship? Because there is absolutely no reason for you to rush. You are so young and he's… Well, he is a mature man, he has more experience. You are still a child…''

''Mum, I am not a child'', Penny declared.

''I know that. I just mean that another man would perhaps be more appropriate for you…''

''Mum!'', she interrupted looking straight into her eyes. ''What are you talking about? Do you think I'm that irresponsible?''

''Of course not.''

''Then why do you speak to me like I'm a little kid? I am mature enough to know what I want. I'm sorry I haven't been open to you about it but… I love Andy, mum. I really do. He is an extraordinary person, an amazing man. I knew it from the first time I saw him and he hasn't proved me wrong. If you give him a chance, I know you'll see it too. But you must have an open mind. So… Will you? For my sake?''

Deirdre looked at her daughter's eyes shining with hope and closed hers. She remembered that this is exactly how she felt for Paul. She loved him so much and wished from the bottom of the heart that her parents would change their minds and accept him. But their strict characters remained the same, despite the crying and the begging. How could she treat her daughter the same way? How could she let history repeat itself? The day she gave birth to Penny, she swore that she would never repeat the mistakes that her parents made and that she would never try to influence her daughter's life.

''Alright. He can come''.

''Oh mummy, thank you!'', Penny said falling in her embrace, just like she used to do when she was little. And just like then, Deirdre hugged her tightly.

The dinner was almost ready and Penny put the dishes on the table. She had covered it with a white table cloth and in the middle of it she put a vase with flowers making sure every single detail was perfect.

''Penny, why did you bring four dishes? Are we expecting anyone else?''

''Yes. Andy is coming with his brother, who lives abroad. This is where he was last week''. Deirdre could barely stand after she heard these words. She filled a glass of water and brought it to her lips with shaking hands. Despite she did everything she could to hide her agitation, Penny noticed it. ''What's wrong?''

''Nothing…'', she said. ''It's just that you should have told me. I host a dinner and I don't have a clue how many guest we have''.

''Don't worry, mum. Nobody is judging you'', Penny laughed though Deirdre felt like she was about to collapse. Hearing the doorbell ring, she almost dropped the glass she was holding. ''I'm going'', Penny said rushing to the front door. Deirdre held a chair tightly trying to stabilize her shaking hands but she was unsuccessful. The moment she looked towards the entrance, she saw Andy coming in with her daughter by his side and behind them… He followed. It was him indeed, she recognized him at once. His eyes, his warm smile, everything was just the same as then. And just like then, Deirdre could not take her eyes off him.

''Good evening. Thank you for the invitation'', he told her with a simple handshake and she smiled lightly without speaking. During the whole evening Deirdre felt dizzy, as if she was flying, while he kept looking at her with sparkling eyes. When dinner was over, as Penny said goodbye to Andy, Paul went near her discreetly.

''Paul… I…''

''Not now. We will speak tomorrow'', he said and then left. Deirdre turned around to wipe a tear that suddenly rolled on her cheek and Penny held her by the shoulders with a smile of happiness on her face.

''Mum, thank you so much for this wonderful evening''.

''Honey, come. Let's sit down''.

''Oh, I see. It's gossip time'', she said sitting on the sofa.

''Not exactly. We'll talk about me… Actually, I'll do the talking. You don't have to say anything. You only have to listen… And to be understanding''.

That night, Penny learned everything about her mother. She learned about Paul, about Andy, about Deirdre's life before she was born and about all those things that she kept secret for years.